Two minors are suing MENTOR Maryland Inc. and Stephen James Merritt for Maryland sexual abuse. They are seeking over $456 million. MENTOR Maryland is a private foster care placement agency and Merritt is a 39-year-old foster dad from Mardela Springs who accused of the abuse. Earlier this year he was charged and indicted for allegedly sexually abusing seven boys inside his residence.

Following the Maryland sex abuse allegations against Merritt, the children staying at his home were taken away from there right away. Until then, Merritt and his wife were licensed as foster parents. Also arrested and charged with sex abuse of a minor at around the same time as Merritt was his uncle, Tracy G. Bayne, who lives close to his nephew.

In their Maryland personal injury case, the victims are claiming that the foster care placement agency did not meet recognized standards when it failed to routinely visit the home, supervise the kids, or respond to complaints made against Merritt. They are claiming that MENTOR breached its duty to protect and supervise the juveniles and neglected to provide them with a safe place to live. Meantime, MENTOR is maintaining that not only does it conduct background checks, but it also makes regular home visits and does health and safety checks on a quarterly basis.

Child Sex Abuse

Child sexual abuse is an insidious crime and one that can cause lifelong emotional trauma for the victims. If you were sexually abused as a child or your son or daughter is a victim, there still may be time to file a Maryland personal injury complaint against the abuser or the party/parties that allowed the abuse to happen. An organization or person charged with the care of a child who is abused while under supervision is an example of one party who could/should be held liable. It is important that you work with an experienced Baltimore child sex abuse law firm that knows how to help you recover damages.

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